THE potential re-introduction of water buyback schemes under a federal Labor government would harm the economic security of local communities, according to two senior growers, an MP, and a Riverland mayor.
Just days ago, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese flagged a return to water buybacks – if Labor wins the May 21 Federal Election – by announcing a five-point Murray-Darling Basin policy, featuring a pledge to “deliver on water commitments, including the 450GL of water for the environment”, as stipulated in the original Basin Plan.
However, Sunlands-based citrus grower and Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke said it was unfeasible to reach this target through water buyback initiatives.
“The Labor policy on resuming water buybacks is very detrimental,” Mr Doecke said.
“You can say 450GL pretty easy when it’s just a number, but it actually equates to most of the irrigation in South Australia.
“If you want to put that 450GL of water back into the river, then as an example switch off most of South Australia. That’s a lot of jobs, people and exporting gone for zero benefit.”
Mr Doecke said the previous utilisation of buybacks had generated upward pressure on the price of temporary allocation water.
“The Basin Plan has made water more expensive for everybody, because there’s less water in the market,” he said.
“So if you want to lease short term, long term, or if you want to buy water, it’s become more expensive because there’s less of it available in the market.”
Renmark Paringa Mayor Neil Martinson said buybacks had previously negatively impacted the local economy and community.
“You have areas of land that are vacant, because there’s no water, and families can move out of the town,” Mr Martinson said.
“For Renmark Paringa, those economics are the most significant costs to having buybacks, so we certainly don’t support it.
“The river is healthier (now) than it has been for a long period of time, and will be, providing we keep going with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan as is, and get it done in full, on time.”
Barker MP Tony Pasin said additional water recovery needed to be delivered through initiatives with neutral socio-economic outcomes.
“Basin communities, including here in the Riverland, know all too well the devastation buybacks have had, which is why the Coalition Government has ruled them out,” Mr Pasin said.
“We all know the whole-of-community impact water buybacks have on local economies…
“Taking water away from growers sends shockwaves throughout the community to every small business, every worker, every family.
“I’d love to see Mr Albanese and (Opposition spokesperson for water) Terri Butler step out of metropolitan Adelaide and stand up in towns like Renmark, Waikerie or Berri and explain how his plan will work.
“I get the sense that people living and working in the Basin are sick and tired of people who don’t (know) telling them how to manage the River Murray.”
Renmark-based grape grower Jack Papageorgiou said maintaining a healthy river system was an ongoing priority for irrigators.
“The best friend for the river is us, the irrigator, because we need a healthy river,” Mr Papageorgiou said.
“We’ve been contributing to the River Murray for a hundred years, and we’ll continue to do so. Governments should keep out of the water market, and allow the regional economies to flow and improve their commodities.
“We want to see all political parties, and state and federal governments, agree to one plan. That will improve the environment.
“Without water, nothing survives. Particularly in our area the foundation of the economy is horticulture, and we need a healthy irrigation system.”